Need diamond and setting assistance UK based

[Ori]

I’ve attached the rings in question. The trio is for her but I don’t have 16k. My budget for her ring would be at most 4k inc setting. She definitely wants a trio but also wouldn’t be adverse to a Gemini ring. Since Ashoka’s are only available at Boodles she’d be happy with Emerald cut. she tried the ring on and liked the 0.8ct with my budget I know it’s out of the question but I would like as large a centre stone as possible and she wants the graduated appearance. Emerald vs2. She also wants two half pave bands on either side of the e ring. My diamond knowledge is limited at best. I can work on mine later because a horizontal has also been difficult to find...one step at a time

 

[lovedogs]

I'm concerned that her expectations aren't realistic given the budget constraints. Does she know that you are working with a 4K budget? Is she willing to get a diamond band for now while you save a bit more?

Obviously the one you linked is significantly overpriced bc of the brand name, but I'm worried you won't be able to get something like it with high quality stones for 4k.

 

[lovedogs]

IF she's open to something pre-loved, this is potentially an amazing deal. Made by DK, who does outstanding work.
https://loupetroop.com/listings/rings/3-stone-enerald-cut-diamong-ring-by-david-klass

 

[Ori]

I'm concerned that her expectations aren't realistic given the budget constraints. Does she know that you are working with a 4K budget? Is she willing to get a diamond band for now while you save a bit more?

Obviously the one you linked is significantly overpriced bc of the brand name, but I'm worried you won't be able to get something like it with high quality stones for 4k.

Hi thanks for the response. No she doesn’t know of my budget. Do you mean just a pave band as an engagement ring? If that’s the question then yes but I just want something as close as possible to what she fell in love with despite her saying she’d be happy and content with a gumball ring just saw this setting on JA https://www.jamesallen.com/mobile/e...d-pave-set-diamond-engagement-ring-item-22633 *shrugs* I know I’ll have a difficult time.

The ring you linked is quite nice but the band would have to be changed

 

[lovedogs]

Hi thanks for the response. No she doesn’t know of my budget. Do you mean just a pave band as an engagement ring? If that’s the question then yes but I just want something as close as possible to what she fell in love with despite her saying she’d be happy and content with a gumball ring just saw this setting on JA https://www.jamesallen.com/mobile/e...d-pave-set-diamond-engagement-ring-item-22633 *shrugs* I know I’ll have a difficult time.

I like that JA setting. But I'm a bit worried about import fees/taxes if you're in the UK. I think they can be quite high. But if you can spend 4K (ignoring any taxes), then I think we can help you find a nice center Stone for rgat setting.

 

[lovedogs]

Let me preface this by saying I am NOT an emerald cut expert. There are others who are very good with fancy cuts, like @rockysalamander and @Matthews1127 who will be better here. But to my eye, I look for videos where the facets turn "on and off" and light moves though the stone in a way that you don't ever see "all black" or all facets "off". Again, thats my naive way of explaining why I like these stones. But others feel free to correct me!

https://www.jamesallen.com/mobile/l...t/0.72-carat-h-color-vvs1-clarity-sku-5893053

https://www.jamesallen.com/mobile/l...ut/0.72-carat-f-color-vs1-clarity-sku-6414973

https://www.jamesallen.com/mobile/l...ut/0.72-carat-h-color-vs1-clarity-sku-5331661

 

[kathness]

@Ori _ i'm based in the UK with you budget you could possibly go with https://www.77diamonds.com/

The problem with getting it from the USA is that you will be subjected to important tax.

 

[LinSF]

This is an amazing deal.. I would snap this up in an instant if I were you! Save some money for a blingy band too. She'd be super impressed!

IF she's open to something pre-loved, this is potentially an amazing deal. Made by DK, who does outstanding work.
https://loupetroop.com/listings/rings/3-stone-enerald-cut-diamong-ring-by-david-klass

 

[Ori]

@Ori _ i'm based in the UK with you budget you could possibly go with https://www.77diamonds.com/

The problem with getting it from the USA is that you will be subjected to important tax.

20%? Thanks for the link those aren’t quite right.

This is an amazing deal.. I would snap this up in an instant if I were you! Save some money for a blingy band too. She'd be super impressed!

How would I go about resetting them? She has a platinum/wg preference and wouldn’t wear this as is.

 

[lovedogs]

[QUOTE="Ori, post: 4488709,


How would I go about resetting them? She has a platinum/wg preference and wouldn’t wear this as is.[/QUOTE]

I'd call DK and see if he can rhodium dip the ring. That'll make it white. Resetting is a huge waste of money.

 

[farrahlyn]

If you like that JA setting, no reason to look elsewhere. If she's this particular, IMO, i don't think she's going to appreciate pre-loved. SO, let's look at diamonds for the setting. I think you can manage a .80ct in your price range given that the $4500 budget is not including VAT.

So with Emerald cuts, to be safe, stick to the color G or better and you'll want to be especially careful of inclusions on the table. so i mostly have VS1 or better but there is a SI1 in here that may work.

Now, i'm not a emerald pro but these caught my eye:

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/emerald-cut/0.85-carat-e-color-vvs1-clarity-sku-6245730 My absolute favorite, i LOVE the cut corners. i know it's one of the smaller ones tho

The rest are in no particular order
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/emerald-cut/0.85-carat-e-color-vs1-clarity-sku-3433655
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/emerald-cut/0.81-carat-g-color-vvs1-clarity-sku-5331925
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/emerald-cut/0.80-carat-g-color-vvs2-clarity-sku-5404958
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/emerald-cut/0.96-carat-g-color-si1-clarity-sku-5952745 this is the largest but i'm on the fence regarding the feather and inclusion (even tho its white) on the table

 

[farrahlyn]

OH, this is called a 3 stone setting, by the way. With pave in the band

 

[Snowdrop13]

You could get a combo with that JA ring and a stone of about 0.7ct as an example, there would be tax and duty to pay so I usually allow about 25% for that,

https://www.jamesallen.com/mobile/complete-ring/

(Please note I am far from expert in choosing an emerald cut, it is much harder to pick a nice one compared to a round. You need to see a video and make sure all the facets turn on and off with no dark areas as it turns).

My worries about buying this would include getting the sizing right and the fact that 14kt isn’t commonly used here in the U.K., any future sizing might be tricky.

Have you looked at Blue Nile? Their prices are all inclusive of taxes.

 

[sledge]

@Snowdrop13 for the win on taxes & duties. About 23.3% according to JA's tax & duty calculator. That's for a complete ring (diamond + setting). For a loose diamond, it drops to about 20.2%.

https://www.jamesallen.com/tax-calculator/

Assuming you max out your $4k USD budget, this adds about $930 USD in taxes & duties, bringing your final cost to nearly $5k USD all in. Not counting any wedding bands to go with the e-ring.

 

[kathness]

@Ori - i believe there is about 23% Tax & Duty.

I linked 77 diamonds as their prices are very competitive and they have an office / showroom in London and Manchester. Their prices are reasonable and very competitive. I would say the prices are the similar to James Allen, Bluenile and the other US online stores. the difference is that it's local. They also can source any diamond and can even take photos, assets and ideal scope. I know because I've just brought something from them and they are having an amazing sale this week.

https://www.77diamonds.com/engagement-rings/emerald

They also can resize your ring and service it every year. it's great that we have something like this in the UK now.

 

[OoohShiny]

Is the budget GBP4k or USD4k?

Import tax into the UK is 20% VAT on everything and an additional 2.5% tax on jewellery, I believe, so I'm not sure where the JA tax calculator is getting their figures from - perhaps they are including handling fees or similar?